Parents file petition to stop COVID-19 vaccination for kids aged 5-11

Parents Dominic Almelor and Girlie Samonte have filed a petition before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court seeking to stop the Department of Health (DOH) from vaccinating children aged 5 to 11 against COVID-19.

The petitioners argue that allowing the government to give consent for vaccination when parents refuse is 'undue experimentation' and potentially harmful to their children's health.

They named Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, and the DOH as respondents in the case.

Almelor and Samonte expressed concern that if they refuse to give consent despite their child's willingness to be vaccinated, the state may act as parens patriae and provide necessary consent under DOH Memorandum No. 2022-0041.